…restricts entry into states

As part of additional measures being put in place to curtail the spread of Coronavirus, Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has imposed a 24-hour curfew in Karu Local Government Area of the state, with effect from 6pm tomorrow.

Engineer Sule announced this during a press conference to update the people of the state on efforts of government to contain the pandemic, which held at the Government House, on Wednesday.

He stated that the curfew in Karu LGA became necessary because of its proximity to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with the area witnessing influx of people following the locked down in Abuja.

“It is for this reason and in line with the provision of the Nasarawa State Dangerous Infectious Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Regulations, 2020, as well as the advice of the Nasarawa State High Powered Committee on COVID-19, the following measures come into immediate effect,” Engineer Sule said.

According to the Governor, entry into the state has also been restricted to between 6pm to 6am, with all persons coming into the state to be screened at designated checkpoints/mobile clinics.

He stated that these measures, among others, became necessary following reports from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Federal Ministry of Health, which indicate that COVIC-19 is spreading at an alarming rate.

Engineer Sule added that the measures being taken are not meant to inflict more hardship on the people but are aimed at protecting citizens against the pandemic.

“All these measures we continue to take after consultations and after discussions, even at the national level.

“All those decisions that are taken, are actually to ensure that we care for our own people and to ensure that our people are not affected. We are not taking any of these decisions in order to add hardship to our people,” he stated.

Other measures put in place include, restricting movement within Lafia, the state capital from 8pm to 6am starting from tomorrow, all markets will remain closed except sellers of food items and medicaments outside the market but not in Karu LGA.

Again, all civil servants from GL. 01-12 are to remain at home until further notice, except those on essential services.

Engineer Sule further disclosed that a palliative committee has been constituted to ensure that citizens of the state are provided with necessary succour during this trying moments.

While directing security agents to ensure enforcement of these additional measures, the Governor reiterated the commitment of his administration to continue to monitor closely, the implementation of additional measures taken to contain the spread of the pandemic.

“I call on all residents of Nasarawa State to continue to abide by the instructions on the restriction of movements, social distancing and gathering, in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our dear state,” Engineer Sule stated.

Nasarawa State is however yet to record any confirmed case of Coronavirus.